Otavalo
 
is located some 2 hours north of Quito on the Pan-American Highway and half an hour south of Ibarra. The market, where the Otavaleños sell their famous textiles, like sweaters, pants, wall hangings, blankets, etc.. is every day on in the Plaza de Poncho. On Saturday is the main market day with more stalls, selling textiles and other handicrafts, like carving, paintings, masks, statues, and so on. Also early in the morning is the animal market, a little bit outside the town across the Pan-American Highway. There natives from around the rural region and others gather to buy or sell their horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens and other animals. So if you like to see the animal market, many people in the streets, the noises and smell of a busy market, go Saturdays. On the other hand if you prefer a much more relaxed atmosphere with ample time to admire the handiworks and talk and negotiate with the vendors visit any other day.

To visit the market you may use public transport or our organized tour which also includes other attractions in the vicinity like Cotacachi and Cuicocha Crater Lake.

For pictures click to market.otavalo of our Ecuador-Images.net.

Cotacachi

is located half an hour north of Otavalo, a little bit west of the Pan-American Highway. The small town of Cotacachi is famous for its leather works. You find from jackets, coats, hats to saddles almost anything made in leather. You do not find an open market area like in Otavalo but a street (10 de Agosto) with many shops, which are open every day in the daytime, selling you the various leather articles. Cotacachi can easily be combined with the Otavalo market and is a convenient stop on the way to Cuicocha Crater lake

Transport by public bus or taxi from Otavalo or our organized tour

Saquisalí

is some 2 hours south from Quito, a little bit off the Pan-American Highway. Thursday is market day in this small town with the Indians coming together from the surrounding mountain areas. Early in the morning is the animal market, just outside of town, and the product market during the whole day in the center of town where you find more or less the same articles like in Otavalo (as a fact many sellers move from one town to the other on market days). Some tourists prefer this market to Otavalo as it is still not as touristy and a little bit more authentic.

Transport by bus to Latacunga and then change of bus to Saquisalí or our organized tour.

For pictures click to market.saquisali of our Ecuador-Images.net

Pujili

is 2 hours south from Quito, 20 minutes west of Latacunga on road to La Mana. Main market day is Sunday and there is a smaller one on Wednesday. It is still an unspoiled market and perfect for people, who like to experience a genuine market without tourists and articles for them. Most of the activities is concentrated around the huge roofed market square but extends to nearby streets and plazas.

Transport by bus to Latacunga and then change of bus to Pujili or our organized tour.

For pictures click to market.pujili of our Ecuador-Images.net

Zumbahua

is located 4 hours from Quito, on road from Latacunga to La Mana. Market day is Saturday in this small Indian town, high in the Andes. It is a small and unspoiled market and perfect for people, who like to experience a genuine Indian market. Indigenous women still come with their llamas to town to help to carry with their purchases later on. As the town is only 20 minutes from Quilotoa crater lake, it is a good idea to combine both visits.

Transport by bus to Latacunga and then change of bus to Zumbahua or organized tour.

Salasaca

is a small village, 16 km from Ambato on the way to Baños.Sunday is main market day but everyday you find outside stalls and shops. The Salasaca Indians were originally from Bolivia and transplanted by the Incas to Ecuador. You may notice fine differences in the design of their textiles. It is a favorite place for many to buy wool sweaters and wall carpets as it is well known throughout the country for their quality.

Transport by public bus from ambato to Baños or our organized tour.

For pictures click to market.salasaca of our Ecuador-Images.net

Guamote

is located 1 hour south from Riobamba on the Pan- American Highway

Market day is Thursday and ideal for people, who still want to see an interesting Indian market without too many tourists around. This is one of the most authentic and colorful markets in the country with many Indians coming in their traditional clothes from nearby mountain villages. It features two animal markets, one for cattle and the other for smaller animals like pigs and sheep. Fruits, herbs and vegetables are sold in the town center and around the train station. Household goods, clothes and many more things in the many small streets of the town.

Transport by public buses leaving Riobamba which go on to Alausi or Cuenca.

For pictures click to market.guamote of our Ecuador-Images.net

Guano

is a small town, a few kilometers northeast of Riobamba. The town is a center of floor carpet making, you find several shops in the town, which sell the handmade carpets but be aware that many carpets offered are machine-made and imported from countries like Belgium or USA.

Take bus from Riobamba which goes to Guano

Cuenca

is the 3rd largest city in Ecuador and by many considered the most beautiful colonial town.

Cuenca is a good place to buy Panama hats as you may buy them directly from the factories, which prepare the hats for export. One I recommend is the Homero Ortega Hat factory, located near the bus terminal at Gil Ramirez Davalos 3-86.

Bus (10 hours) or airplane from Quito or our organized tour.

Chordeleg

is a smaller town 1/2 hour drive southeast of Cuenca, near Gualaceo and is famous for its jeweler craft, especially silver, which you find in the many shops in and around the center of town.

Bus from Cuenca or our organized tour.